tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2959621090844950292018-03-05T12:02:03.426-08:00Is It Just Me?Observations, experience &amp; meanderings of a Christian dad, husband, carer, kids worker, musician, ventriloquist &amp; mentorKay Morgan-Gurrnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-14140699417014909582017-11-05T11:46:00.001-08:002017-11-05T11:46:44.044-08:00Is It My Ears?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6S1sD3_uTGw/Wf9qiQYNzxI/AAAAAAAABb0/UYZIL6ql88M_NS4bCW64ZHFzuV-NykRygCLcBGAs/s1600/reh990804clo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1196" height="202" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6S1sD3_uTGw/Wf9qiQYNzxI/AAAAAAAABb0/UYZIL6ql88M_NS4bCW64ZHFzuV-NykRygCLcBGAs/s320/reh990804clo.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">A question that often comes my way in church and at events is ‘Why does worship music have to be so LOUD?’</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Yes, I am getting older, but I have served my time as a guitarist and ‘worship leader’ who introduced drums into our band in our church. Our first drummer had the strict remit that his role was to keep us disparate musicians together whilst hardly being noticed by the congregation. My point about volume isn’t specifically about drums, but is about the effect of and reason for the trending increase in volume levels.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Many find high volume not just unpleasant, but even painful and certainly not conducive to their worship. This has been highlighted to me by those with hearing aids, with tinnitus, with hearing acuity issues or with autism, all of whom can find the sensory overload of high volume too much, and some of whom simply walk out.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Whilst considering the volume issue, it became clear that much else has changed alongside. Sung worship used to be just that - congregational singing where you could hear yourself and others making a joyful collective noise. Hymns and songs used to be a series of well constructed verses, sometimes with a repeating ‘refrain’ or chorus. Everything rhymed and scanned (the words had a regular rhythm pattern) and was set to a singable often comfortably predictable tune that could be harmonised if you were so inclined. The instruments were an accompaniment to the all-important communal singing.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Words were paramount - very carefully crafted, robust theology often written as poetry by pastors. The format helped people remember important truths throughout the days ahead. I still recall word-for-word many such worship songs that I haven’t sung for years. If I said “Saviour if of Zion’s City….” where would your mind go to? Would you remember it as well if it were not strict metre rhyming poetry, but more like prose set to a wandering tune? Isaac Watts knew a thing or two about writing poetry. He extolled the benefit of rhyming and scanning to help people remember worthwhile words. [“What is learned in verse is longer retained in memory, and sooner recollected. The like sounds and the like number of syllables exceedingly assist the remembrance”] Have people changed so much? Or is the whole point now more about instant response than remembering some worthwhile poetry.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Over time the ubiquitous organ or piano has of course been replaced, often for very good reason, by the ubiquitous amplified guitar group, but the change of instruments has lead to other changes. The use of guitars has fundamentally influenced the construction and selection of the songs. Many are now in a ‘pop’ format. Rhyming is largely ignored in favour of assonance (vowels that sound the same), and scansion is often far from strict. The repetition element has become dominant with an inevitable chorus and almost invariably a ‘bridge’ too. We also have songs written at a pitch or range that is not realistically achievable by people with a normal vocal range.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>If the verse of a song is pitched at singable level, then the chorus can be stratospherically beyond reach without tighter singing trousers and a stepladder. Many songs even have full octave vocal jumps. Some songs in contemporary genres come from musicians rather than from theologians, and this can reflect in the content. Yes, I am commenting generally and I know, appreciate and use some wonderful exceptions.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Does any of this matter? When somebody tells me that they had a ‘great time of worship’ I am sometimes tempted to ask if God enjoyed it. Was it the excitement? The beat? Or the dancing? Has it helped their appreciation of God? Surely our worship, musical or otherwise, should be to do something that pleases God, and shifts our focus to Him. The change of song format to the pop genre has meant that dance has come into ‘worship’ like never before, and the role of ‘worship leader’ has emerged. In the same inevitable way that drums became part of the deal, the role of ‘worship leader’ has grown naturally out of the guitar band format, where every such band has a front man or woman. I am not so convinced of the Biblical mandate for this - and yet far more young people aspire to the worship leading role than to being preachers, teachers or evangelists. I was encouraged when one group I went to see and hear, memorably said that “We are not here to lead worship. There is only one worship leader, and that is the Holy Spirit. We are going to praise God with our songs, and we invite you to join us.”.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Adding extreme volume to these various format changes, means that many people have largely given up on congregational singing, despite the fact that singing is much more of a Biblical directive than dance. Faced with the difficulty and the volume, the fact that one voice makes no difference against the overwhelming amplification, and the megawatt worship experience - sometimes including a lighting display -<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>is passively observed while it is presented to the congregation by those at the front who are undoubtedly gifted in what they do. Presentation worship may be an inevitable result of the change in the format of songs, the instruments and the volume. Extreme volume may be necessary to ‘optimise sound quality’, but that is surely only needed if the priority is the presentation, rather than the participation of the congregation. Maybe presentational worship that is truly inspirational at a large event, doesn’t transfer well in form or volume to the ageing congregation back home at Little Puddleton Chapel. It’s a bit like trying to get the feeling of a majestic Albert Hall concert with full orchestra and chorus back to our village hall. Each is uniquely suited to different things.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">This isn’t a plea to get back to old hymns and songs, but to restore<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>meaningful congregational singing. There are good old and good new songs and we should be using both. The thing I look for first is good THEOLOGY (even if simply put), It really should be all about the words. Then a song should be MEMORABLE (rhyming and scanning really does help, as does an ear-worm or easily followed tune), SINGABLE within the realistic range of most people, and with VARIETY (there are loads of instruments and music styles out there just waiting to be used. It doesn’t always have to be an amplified guitar band). And if the volume level is capable of going to 11, it doesn’t mean that it has to. Increasing volume is actually excluding an increasing number of<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>people who may otherwise be persuaded to accept other changes, if only it weren’t so unnecessarily LOUD. Like Elvis, some of them have left the building to sing no more. Enthusiastic volume should surely come from the involved voices of inspired worshippers, with music to accompany and even lead, but not to overpower.</span></div><style type="text/css">p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 17.0px} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} </style> <br /><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div>Steve morgan-gurrhttps://plus.google.com/109027031555431588219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-36266836098651569492017-10-18T06:42:00.001-07:002017-10-18T06:42:18.399-07:00Life As A Carer<div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yV2cDFPLAR0/WedaJPbIqkI/AAAAAAAABbM/spfeUq-y2Jo2ZHTokH68OA8tb4CVRPxlACLcBGAs/s1600/Wheels.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1347" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yV2cDFPLAR0/WedaJPbIqkI/AAAAAAAABbM/spfeUq-y2Jo2ZHTokH68OA8tb4CVRPxlACLcBGAs/s320/Wheels.png" width="269" /></a></div><span class="s1"><br /></span><span class="s1"><br /></span><span class="s1">Most of you know that as well as being a happy husband, I am also Kay’s ‘Personal Assistant’ or ‘carer’. Her disability affects her pain, her vision and of course her mobility. She uses a wheelchair for all but the shortest sequence of slow steps with a stick or a crutch. There are obviously some household things that Kay can’t do, but I thought I’d let you in on some less obvious work-related aspects that keep us functioning normally, apart from the obvious technical kit that is needed for mobility and vision.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">TIME. A lot of time has to be invested in preparation . Even getting up and getting ready is slower for us than for many, so early alarm calls are part of the routine especially when a long journey is required. We have to do a lot of advance checking by phone and Email to make sure that we can get where and when we are needed. If it’s somewhere new to us, it is a huge help when good information is on their website - otherwise it’s phone calls.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">ROADS. Motorway services usually have ample Blue Badge spaces for parking, most of which are usually occupied with non badge holders [this is not an exaggeration - have a look next time you visit one of these places], so those who actually need the spaces close to the entrance have to park further away, especially in bad weather. Accessible toilets are always at the furthest point from the entrance, and often being used by those who don’t need them. We go by road when we can as long as suitable venue parking is available, although this is obviously not feasible for London. Even Birmingham is proving more difficult by road. The Second City always has a good reason for her reluctance to let us go, last year this included a major delay because of a Second World War bomb.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">TRAINS. For train trips to London, I usually see Kay onto the train after which she and her powerchair are on their own. Kay being as independent as possible is important for its own sake, but in addition it saves buying two tickets, and avoids me being an unneeded guest, even if a welcome one. Journeys have to be booked in advance, and we have to arrive at the departure station half an hour early to ensure ‘assistance’ is there. Mostly, station staff are friendly and good at being there with the necessary ramps. Once on the train, there is often luggage in the clearly marked wheelchair space. Train Manager to the rescue!</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">AIRPORTS. Again there have to be lengthy phone calls well in advance of the journey in order to organise the necessary help. Arrival is required well before able-bodied passengers and we have been ‘tutted’ at when taken to be loaded first - even though we are offloaded last so that we don’t hold others up.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">VENUES. Having done all the checks and arrived raring to go, even then there can be unexpected challenges (opportunities?). Things like powerchair failure (once), rarely used lifts breaking (at least twice), and several occasions when incidents have caused road closures, especially in London. This means that taxis can’t get us either to where we want to be, or to where we are in order to collect us. If you wonder why we don’t use the Underground in London, try and find out how many stations are actually accessible to a wheelchair user.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Within venues the platform may be out of easy reach, and accessible facilities are often used for storing cleaning equipment. One of Kay’s pet grumps is accessible toilets that have a strong door closer (neither a legal nor a fire regulation necessity). Imagine being in a wheelchair, having little upper body strength and trying to fight with a door that fights back. One day I may get into trouble for waiting outside ladies toilets.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><style type="text/css">p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 17.0px} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} </style> <br /><div class="p1"><span class="s1">RECOVERY. Once home again, time is needed for proper recovery of depleted emotional batteries, and re-grouping before the next adventure. None of this is mentioned for sympathy for ourselves - our own coping strategies mostly work very well - but it is rather a plea for a little more understanding for anyone and everyone who copes with a visible or invisible disability on a temporary or a permanent basis. We are all trying to function as normally as possible with things that most people can take for granted. What those with a disability go through to just get to a meeting or an event, is probably a lot more than is done to accommodate them. Our annoying questions and detailed preparations are just a small part of what we have to do to maintain the swan-like appearance of smooth, easy progress. Together we can make it look simple. Is it just me? Absolutely not! This is for those with disabilities and their carers everywhere.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span></div>Steve morgan-gurrhttps://plus.google.com/109027031555431588219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-79093990019007318432016-04-22T05:41:00.000-07:002016-04-22T05:41:26.497-07:00I do care really!My first blog, and I should probably start with an explanation. I hope the 'I don't care' title grabbed your attention, and it is true - well not in the official jargon sense anyway. Proper terminology can be useful to convey a message, but it can also give a very wrong impression or a picture that is far removed from the intention.<br /><br />Kay, my wife of more than 20 years is 'disabled'. This comes as no surprise to me, and we don't need to use the word except on official documents or when a shorthand explanation is required. Indeed before she agreed to marry me, she made me sit down and listen very carefully as she explained in graphic detail what the likely progression of her conditions would be. So I'm neither surprised nor in denial.<br /><br />I am primarily a husband who happily made promises when we married. Those promises were of course mutual, although it should be said that at the time, the worldly goods that Kay endowed me with consisted of a cordless electric drill and an ageing Astra estate car.<br /><br />Anyway, back to the point about jargon. I am officially categorised as Kay's 'carer', or more currently her 'personal assistant'. (PC jargon changes with the seasons). Labels are certainly sometimes helpful, but this makes our relationship sound like a rather dry and humourless transaction, a chore or a burden - which it never has been. 'Carer' seems to me to bring with it various unhelpful implications, so I can confirm that it is only in the jargon sense that I don't care - I just happily do what we both agree would be helpful, not because I'm designated as a 'carer' but because nothing could be more normal!Steve morgan-gurrhttps://plus.google.com/109027031555431588219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-25468897718554624492016-04-21T08:47:00.000-07:002016-04-21T08:51:21.300-07:00A New Name & A New OwnerHaving said to Steve a while ago that he should blog - he has finally decided to go for it.<br />So, I am in the process of handing the site over to him so he can share his own unique wisdom and fun with the world!<br /><br />Our work has changed beyond recognition in the last few months, meaning the old ministry blog was becoming a little redundant. I'm hoping the new Blog of Steve will be far more informative and fun. (How could it not be with Steve in charge!)<br /><br />We're still doing children's work and still refer to ourselves as children's evangelists. You can access our diary via my work site - the link is on the right hand sidebar.<br /><br />We decided to leave all the old ministry blog posts - just for history and information :o)<br /><br />Meanwhile, I'm blogging over at the <a href="http://www.kaymorgangurr.com/">'Pondering Platypuss'</a> and <a href="http://kaymorgangurr.wix.com/the-non-work-blog">'The Non-Work Blog'</a>&nbsp;and expecting regular cries of "Kay, how do I..... (Insert any technical blog related question here)" from the other side of the room.<br /><br />Enjoy!!<br /><br />Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-82266339934001039412015-12-16T09:17:00.000-08:002016-01-03T14:59:20.444-08:00Christmas News Letter<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRHV7xaG_bc/VnGX8bIcNoI/AAAAAAAAJeM/SLOe7i61m_c/s1600/News%2Bletter%2Bbanner%2BDec%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRHV7xaG_bc/VnGX8bIcNoI/AAAAAAAAJeM/SLOe7i61m_c/s640/News%2Bletter%2Bbanner%2BDec%2B2015.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="p1"><span class="s1">For some of our friends this year, wishing them a happy Christmas seems insensitive, and the phrase ‘seasons greetings’ always seems a little bland. So we will instead pray that God would bless you all as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus - and that you would find Him to be all that you need during this season.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As last year, we have again decided to only send specific cards to family, and those who do not have access to the internet. Instead we decided to email this news letter, with our greetings, and give a gift to a charity instead.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">It’s been a mixed year for the both of us - many blessings, tinged with days of sadness as we have mourned the passing of friends.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">At the beginning of this year we let you know that we would be stepping down from the leadership of Children Worldwide in January 2016 - remaining as members, but choosing to lay down/pass on to others the mantle of leadership. As we explained, Kay now has many other things she is involved with, and felt it was time to move from this role to allow her to fully immerse herself in those areas, and pick up more responsibility within one of those areas in particular….. We didn’t say clearly what that was at the time - just hinted at it. So now we can say officially that as of the 20th October, Kay became chair of the Children Matter Exec group - stepping into the shoes of the very gifted Alan Charter, who is now working with the Global Children’s Forum and therefore still very much part of the Children Matter group.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqatjE-7Uts/VnGbzqATRQI/AAAAAAAAJew/WB_jAji-r1o/s1600/childrenmatter3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="84" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqatjE-7Uts/VnGbzqATRQI/AAAAAAAAJew/WB_jAji-r1o/s640/childrenmatter3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span><span class="s1">Kay still remains on the Council of Reference of Home for Good - an area very close to her heart, and is very much enjoying being part of the Evangelical Alliance Council - stirring up stuff to do with children, disability and lots of other things to do with justice, advocacy and evangelism.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Because word has got out that Kay has stepped down from being both Director of CW and will be stepping down as a trustee of FFT in March, lots of other opportunities are coming her way. BUT she’s being sensible and not saying yes to anything until she’s had a chance to settle for a while!</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Steve has now reached retirement age, but continues to work just as hard as ever - Kay doesn’t believe he’ll ever slow down!</span></div><div class="p1"><br />We continue to do grass roots kids work together, with assemblies and church weekends away, as well as camps.</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">We’ve had a LOT of building work done, using some of Steve’s pension fund, some inheritance money and a grant from a closing down charity. The downstairs of the house is now accessible and Kay friendly, with the addition of an extension that has a downstair’s loo/shower, a utility room, and a garage Kay can access independently to reach her power wheelchair. We also had the kitchen gutted and a new Kay friendly kitchen fitted. It’s lovely! And we keep thinking we’re going to have to give it back….</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">We’ve also had to apply to change from DLA to PIP - simply put, this provides our much needed (big enough for the wheelchair) car. We have only just heard that Kay has been successful with her application, at the level she needs to carry on independently. Having to do all the paperwork for this put Kay behind on one of her writing deadlines, and she hopes to catch up in December, if we hadn’t been successful, we would have had use that time to appeal instead, which would have been a huge pain when she has an editor waiting on her submission. Thankfully, the process is now over for another 4 years. Claiming for PIP really is a dehumanising and exhausting process that takes over your life!</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">We’re heading into the Spring Harvest prep season, this year we will be in Skegness - Steve working with Whizz Kids, and Kay being the disability advisor, and also Minehead 2 with both of us working on the disability side of things.</span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The best way to keep up with our news is to follow both our ministry blog and Kay’s ‘Thinking’ blog - addresses at the bottom of the page. Kay is also very active on Twitter and does do live tweets on the things she’s up to. She tries to do that on Facebook too, but we do tend to treat Facebook as fun and Twitter as work.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Many thanks for your continuing prayers and support.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Kay and Steve x</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1">Kay's Twitter: KayMorgan_Gurr</div><div class="p1">Steve's Twitter: stevemorgangurr</div><div class="p1">Kay's 'Thinking' Blog: <a href="http://musingsofakidsworker.blogspot.co.uk/">Musings of a Kids Worker</a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div>Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-27311848297551680502015-11-22T12:21:00.002-08:002016-01-03T14:58:41.187-08:00Latest updateThanks to everyone who has been praying.<br />We still haven't heard back from the DWP about moving to PIP.<br /><br />We managed to get some help filling in the forms - which was a small miracle in itself. We manage to get the forms in with a couple of days to spare, and within a week had a phone call to ask if they could do a home assessment. This was a nerve wracking experience - but I had a nice assessor, who didn't seem to mind that the house was a building site! That was nearly three weeks ago and we're still waiting to hear if the application has been successful. Maybe this week? Or the week after? We don't know. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />The good news is, the building work is complete, and we are thrilled with it! Kay sometimes just stands in the kitchen with a grin on her face, looking at it. We keep thinking we'll have to give it all back! The shower room/loo is everything Kay needs, and sometimes she allows Steve to use it (!)<br /><br />There's still some decorating to do, but Steve will be doing that over the coming month. When that's done, we'll post some photos so you can have a nosey.<br /><br />If you want to know who the builder is - take a look <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Armison.co.uk/?fref=ts">here</a>. Some of the photos are of our work - see if you can guess which :o)<br />We can't recommend him highly enough. If we tell you that from start to finish the work took 7 weeks, you will see just how hard he and his team worked. It might have been fast, but the quality is top notch.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Kay needs to get back to her writing, in the hope that the PIP works and we don't have to do an appeal.... in which case, we will only have 2 weeks to do this, and the set aside writing time will suffer once again.<br /><br />Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-40207765140735133242015-10-06T07:14:00.000-07:002016-01-03T14:58:15.799-08:00Prayer Update - We could do with some!<div class="p1">We have a lot going on at the minute.</div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owHtRlCXLK0/VhPWTqbo9sI/AAAAAAAAIJw/7qLphKCNlJQ/s1600/IMG_20151006_150415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owHtRlCXLK0/VhPWTqbo9sI/AAAAAAAAIJw/7qLphKCNlJQ/s200/IMG_20151006_150415.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our <br />kitchen door today</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="p1"><span class="s1">We have the builders in - we’ve scrimped and saved for many years, and managed to get a gift towards some much needed building work to make our house more accessible for Kay - this includes a downstairs accessible shower/loo, and a new kitchen more suitable to Kay’s needs (Mind you - it was an original 1960’s blue tiled monstrosity!)</span></div><div class="p2"><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="p2">On top of this, Kay is trying to do some writing with a looming deadline, as well as both of us trying to keep up with quite a busy diary.<span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">So imagine how we felt when a letter dropped through our door asking Kay to apply to move from Disability Living allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). DLA helps Kay with the added expense of having a disability - including a motability car which is essential for her. PIP is the new version of this - but much harder to qualify for at the level Kay needs.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The DWP letter makes it sound like an invitation - it isn’t. You can either fill out the lengthy forms, or lose your DLA after a certain date - and along with it everything you need to function.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">So - in the middle of a house looking like a builder’s bomb site with stuff everywhere and all the business, we’re trying to pull together everything needed to re-apply for PIP in a very short space of time. You only have four weeks, and it takes a week for the forms to arrive.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">But this comes with another problem….. the DWP require a letter from a medical professional proving you are as bad as you say you are. They don’t take into account that those with chronic conditions are discharged from all care and left to just get on with it. Kay’s GP knows very little about her, and from the few contacts she has with her to update her notes, all she gets is GP’s version of a shrug and a “What would you like me to do?” (I don’t know - you’re the doctor!!).</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">She can fill in the form accurately with how Kay is with all the areas they need to know, but she can’t write with empathy how Kay’s disability affects her everyday, including work.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">SO as you can see - we need prayer!</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">We need it for peace of mind, for a clear mind in filling in forms, and wisdom for the GP and others who have kindly agreed to write “supporting evidence” for Kay.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br /></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Many thanks!</span></div>Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-73563707467879386722015-08-17T02:23:00.000-07:002016-01-03T14:57:56.225-08:00Camps Are Over....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzX2LhsEY54/VdGn2GZxGJI/AAAAAAAAHpE/AOSUSg-ino0/s1600/IMG_20150808_155921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzX2LhsEY54/VdGn2GZxGJI/AAAAAAAAHpE/AOSUSg-ino0/s640/IMG_20150808_155921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well, the camps are over for another year....<br />So much hard work before the camps, all gone in such a short space of time!<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />For Aspire, we were there in the background, helping out where needed. Kay managed to complete the rather posh camper's handbook, and write the morning start up (quiet time) notes we have for the younger campers.<br /><br />For Activate, we were doing the morning meetings and a whole host of other bits and pieces.<br /><br />For the quiet times, we had a verse from a Psalm per day to look at, and the morning meetings were about Moses and the Israelites - all with a 'prayer' activity to allow the campers to think and do something that would help them to reflect and remember.<br /><br />The leaders were awesome - Kay has written a blog as a thanks to them <a href="http://bit.ly/1PgnY1M">here</a>.<br /><br />The diary has been updated - so do have a look at what we're up to. Kay will be doing a lot of writing, having been approached by a publisher. But first she has to do a synopsis and a sample chapter. If that is accepted, we'll tell you more.... but until then - we'll just keep the details quiet.<br /><br />Thanks for your prayers - keep 'em coming!<br /><br /><br />Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-39293141382761246692015-05-15T03:22:00.000-07:002016-01-03T14:57:33.820-08:00We Were Going To be So Good...We were going to update before and after Spring Harvest - but time ran away again!<br /><br />We were due to do Minehead 2 and Skegness for Spring Harvest, but due to the wife of one of our colleagues breaking her wrist and a bit of reshuffling, we ended up doing Minehead 1 and 2 followed by Skegness.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Kay did the disability consultant role for all three, with Steve assisting Minehead 1 and 2, and working with Whizz Kids as Sarah's deputy in Skegness.<br /><br />All Went well. It was a gentle event with much to praise God for.<br />We think the same word describes Whizz Kids too. The programme ended up with many, many more children than expected attending, but the team managed to rise to the challenge, especially as those arranging crafts and activities had prepared more "just in case"! They had an amazing team of volunteers and area leaders, that made for a lovely happy atmosphere all through the programme.<br /><br />The teaching, led by Paul Willmott, was both engaging and challenging... and loved by kids and volunteers alike!<br /><br />The fact we were back at Skegness meant we met up with some old friends (and places!) we hadn't seen for years.<br /><br />We've now had the debrief in London, and the plans for 2016 are in full swing!Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-50471086157190418352015-02-24T02:54:00.000-08:002016-01-03T14:57:10.888-08:00Anniversary DayIt's our wedding anniversary today.<br /><br />19 years! Wow - how did that happen?!<br /><br />Kay tweeted about this using the hashtags #Happy, #Blessed and #Thankful.<br /><br />Having asked Steve how he would sum up the last 19 years his reply was "Happy".<br /><br />So we seem to be of one mind on this - nothing unusual there!<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />When we married, Steve thought his part of our ministry was to support Kay by continuing with his paid work. Little did he know..... In the early years before Steve went 'full time', Kay hated having to leave Steve at home whilst she went off to do conferences and holiday clubs, so she had quite a strong conversation with God about it. The rest, as they say, is history!<br /><br />But life is now going full circle - and this week, &nbsp;for the second time this month, Kay has to do a night away from home (and Steve). Kay says she is in a better place emotionally to cope with it.... but she still doesn't like it.... at all!<br /><br />Have the last 19 years been plain sailing? In a word - no. Our marriage has always been solid, and we've never had a real argument. But we've had to face many things together - and each thing has made us stronger and wiser - both individually and as a couple. We deal with pressure and problems in different ways, but we know that and give each other the space needed to be ourselves, as well as uniting to face problems together.<br /><br />We can honestly say that our love is deeper, our friendship is stronger and our laughter is greater.... louder and longer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Wu6ejiUdE/VOxYAlCBkhI/AAAAAAAAGBM/6r941d1N9Hg/s1600/Our%2BWedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Wu6ejiUdE/VOxYAlCBkhI/AAAAAAAAGBM/6r941d1N9Hg/s1600/Our%2BWedding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-27836029461303105682015-01-24T07:07:00.000-08:002015-02-24T03:00:24.443-08:00Our promised January UpdateWe promised those who follow what we're doing and support/pray for us, that we would send a newsletter at the end of January.... and in the process of promising that managed to make everything sound a little mysterious! <br /><br />Well, here it is!<br /><br />We wanted to speak with our membership before releasing our main news item. It was our full team conference last week (And what a good one it was!) so the news has now had a chance to settle.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><b>The coming year will see us preparing for change.&nbsp;</b><br />Changes that hopefully will see us doing less of the admin work that tends to plague leaders, so we can get on with more of what we are gifted for.<br /><br />Sixteen years ago we were asked to lead Children Worldwide. The appointment was never meant to be long term or permanent. The leaders (National Directors) are chosen by the members from amongst their number for a fixed term. The role has changed and expanded beyond recognition, and takes much more than the 20% of our time we agreed to allow for all those years ago.<br /><br />After much prayer and with the support of our Council of Reference, we have made the decision to step back from our role leading Children Worldwide, and revert to being contributing members of this organisation that we love so much. We have given one year's notice of this change, and so will step aside officially on January 17th 2016 after which we still intend to represent CW nationally but relinquish the time-consuming responsibility of the day-to-day running and decision making.<br /><br />As we said, we will still be members of Children Worldwide - as Kay has been for 20 years and Steve for nearly 19, drawing our accountability from all the usual routes.<br /><br />We are laying down the leadership so we can follow our expanding personal ministry and opportunities - just like any other member of Children Worldwide.<br />We will remain trustees of the CW governing charity, Family Foundations Trust, but this will no longer be a management role for us.<br /><br />This will give more time for Kay to concentrate on things she is already involved with, such as Children Matter, The Evangelical Alliance, Home for Good and the Additional Needs Alliance as well as for new opportunities that we know are coming our way.<br /><br />It will also give us a little more time to do what we love - face to face work with children.<br /><br />Please pray for Children Worldwide as we work through this transition, and for us as we move through newly opening doors of opportunity.<br /><br /><b>The News Letter</b><br />We have experimented with various ways of getting news to you all. When we look at the statistics, it’s obvious that using MailChimp isn’t working. But neither can we afford to post everything.<br />So, we will send out ‘possibly’ two posted letters a year, and send email reminders to check out the blog when we update it.<br /><br />(This is taken from our January 2015 news letter)Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-54981090324132746712014-12-19T07:04:00.000-08:002016-01-03T14:56:47.274-08:00Happy Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipl8WCeSPC0/VJQ-S_bEV_I/AAAAAAAAF18/QFEvE6sNxig/s1600/Web%2BChristmas%2BGreeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipl8WCeSPC0/VJQ-S_bEV_I/AAAAAAAAF18/QFEvE6sNxig/s1600/Web%2BChristmas%2BGreeting.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br />We haven't written a Christmas prayer letter this year. Instead, we're going to send one out at the end of January, so we can include all our news in one go (That sounds mysterious doesn't it!)<br /><br />We've also opted not to send out so many Christmas cards - with the cost of postage now so high and so many friends, we decided we'd rather send only a few cards and make a donation to charity instead. (Home for Good) We hope you don't mind!<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Life is still moving at a fast rate, but after Sunday, when we will be doing a children's club in&nbsp;Sutton Coldfield, we intend to reclaim the house from the claws of children's work 'stuff'.<br /><br />Anyway, we pray all of you - our friends and supporters - have a wonderful and blessed Christmas time.<br /><br />With much love and many thanks<br /><br />Kay and Steve xxKay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-19431779516017270592014-10-06T12:43:00.001-07:002015-01-24T09:39:38.642-08:00Guilty Secrets of Two Itinerant Workers (Who Live By Faith)After a board meeting, and delivering some training for a local church on working with children who have additional needs - we managed to take some annual leave. This was thanks to the amazing generosity of friends.<br /><br />When living by faith, it's very easy to feel guilty about taking a holiday abroad..... and hard to admit it! So we often qualify it with the "Gift of a friend" sentence, closely followed by the fact it's often cheaper to holiday abroad when there's only two of you going. We know many other full time workers who also feel guilty.... why is that?!<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9nEX8z6Sdo/VDLwVqkScAI/AAAAAAAAFyY/aVRHu3Z3luE/s1600/2014-09-20%2B13.27.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9nEX8z6Sdo/VDLwVqkScAI/AAAAAAAAFyY/aVRHu3Z3luE/s1600/2014-09-20%2B13.27.44.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div><br />Anyway, we had a lovely time just relaxing, reading, knitting (Kay) and doing cryptic crosswords (Steve). Having planned a couple of days after the holiday to slowly transition back into work - we ended up having to ditch that idea as circumstances on our return meant we had to hit the ground running.... and it hasn't let up since!<br /><br /><br /><br />The other thing many full time itinerant workers feel guilty about is changing cars - even though a reliable car is an absolute necessity...<br /><br />Because Kay receives DLA due to her disabilities, she qualifies for a Motability car. These change every three years, and we can't believe we have had the previous car three years! Today we picked up Kay's new Motability car and are currently feeling very grateful and blessed. There is no way we would be able to afford such a comfortable and reliable car without this.<br /><br />As I've said - many folk who live by faith feel guilty and a little wary of saying about the blessings we receive. This is often due to the mistaken belief that holidays and cars give the impression to our supporters that we have enough money - when actually these thoughts are wrong on both sides. I have found that our supporters rejoice with us, and carry on supporting us knowing the day to day bills still need paying.<br /><br />So, although we feel blessed and grateful a lot or the time, today we feel particularly blessed.... and maybe just a teeny bit guilty....<br /><br />Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-11997105335658535422014-09-06T00:56:00.001-07:002015-01-24T09:39:56.583-08:00What We've Been Up To This WeekWe've been travelling a bit this week!<br /><div>The week started with a Family Foundations Trust board meeting at Dalesdown (nr Horsham). There was lots to discus as we looked at various aspects of the work of Children Worldwide and Dalesdown. We had a brilliant update from the camps, and heard about the difference these camps have once again made in the lives of so many children. It was the last camp for Sarah Covington, who has been leading them for a number of years, but involved in them for 18 years. She will be greatly missed! Sarah is moving to Knowle in the West Midlands to take up a post at the parish church there.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div>We will be advertising a revised job soon - 2.5 days a week, working out of Dalesdown. Whoever is successful in getting the job will be responsible for all aspects our residential activities, and development of them for the future. I hope to have a link to the job description/ info pack on here soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday we were visiting some of our colleagues and our lovely God daughter over in Birmingham. It was great to catch up on their recent trip to Kenya, and hear about their future plans - all exciting stuff, but sounds exhausting too!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday night saw Kay doing some training for a local church on children with additional needs - the first of two sessions. This session was designed to create a vision and a passion for working with and making difference for all the children and their families. It's a church we work with regularly and have a huge respect for the work they do with their children and young people.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the time has been spent getting paperwork up to date before we take some annual leave.</div><div>So for the next two weeks we won't be answering the phone (land line or mobile), will have the email system switched off, and will settling down to read, drink coffee, knit (Kay) and do cryptic crossword puzzles (Steve). We'll be switching everything back on on 23rd September. You may see us on social media as we intend to take photos of cakes we eat in any coffee shops we may visit whilst we relax!</div>Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295962109084495029.post-55509142029352099772014-08-28T07:56:00.008-07:002015-01-24T09:40:27.036-08:00Hungarton Camps<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2j-NqSrdvg4/U_G2hBq9vpI/AAAAAAAAFwM/XIgYhMBPcFg/s1600/2014-08-11%2B19.27.11.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2j-NqSrdvg4/U_G2hBq9vpI/AAAAAAAAFwM/XIgYhMBPcFg/s400/2014-08-11%2B19.27.11.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Camps are now over for the summer, and it's time to clear away all the 'stuff' that camps create in our house!<br /><br />The lego from one of the prayer activities has been washed, the straw that blew into the puppet cases has been shaken out, the myriad of photos taken and used on each camp are being put on the remote hard drive.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Now to do the ironing and catch up on the piles of emails we didn't have time to deal with properly whilst on site. (Apologies if you're one of those people who didn't get a proper reply!)<br /><br />The camps were awesome! For Aspire, we were back up team - Kay being the safeguarding officer, person to talk to for kids and leaders (If needed), medication deliverer and technical person for presentations in meetings. Steve was minibus driver, supporter and do-er of some of those small tasks that always arise on camp.<br />The team were great, as were the campers (Aged 11-14 ish). The camp felt comfortable, gentle and happy. The main teaching in the evenings was based on the life of David, and it was great to see how much the campers were taking on board from it. The many questions thrown at the tent leaders were answered with wisdom and patience.<br /><br />The next camp was Activate, for campers aged 9-11 (ish!) where we did the morning teaching - this year on the Lord's Prayer, which was quite a challenge!<br />Once again, the leaders were awesome and wonderful with the campers, often going the extra mile with them.<br />The constant enthusiasm and energy of our young leaders was a delight to watch, even when some of them had been kept awake by campers and were functioning on only a few hours sleep. Some even refused the offered hours rest time to be with their campers up at the pool - now that's commitment!<br />Some of the campers were honest with their questions about faith, and some took time to stand back and take an honest look at their own faith.<br /><br />We never say how many became Christians etc. We feel that this is something between God and the campers, and not for us to speculate on. What we can do, however, is thank God for all that happened on the camps, for the encouragements and the passion of many leaders who give up a week, sometime 2 or 3 weeks, to serve the Campers of Hungarton.<br /><br />It's been an encouraging summer for both of us! No doubt Kay will be putting some of the prayer activities on the main blog page - so look out for those.<br /><br />We are now looking forward to a quieter few weeks to recuperate. Kay managed well, with only a few days where the pain levels went up to an 8 (out of 10) in the evenings, but could be managed. So thankyou so much to those who prayed for her.<br />Amusingly, having coped so well - on the Saturday morning after we were home, she lifted her hair drier and managed to put her shoulder and neck into a permanent spasm for the next 24 hours.... how about that for timing!Kay Morgan-Gurrhttps://plus.google.com/114440559792445943443noreply@blogger.com0